Whisky Live tours SA

A range of Irish whiskey will be available for tasting at this year’s events, including the triple distilled, triple blended, and triple cask matured Tullamore D.E.W. Only 70 casks of the 14-year-old were produced and it will be available for sampling in limited quantities.

The Pogues – the whiskey named after the Irish Celtic rock band – joins the Whisky Live circuit for the first time. Launched in 2015, The Pogues rebels against the norm with a blend of 50% Irish Grain Whiskey and 50% Irish Single Malt Whiskey.

Those who want to expand their Irish whiskey repertoire should not miss the Irish Potstills of Midleton, including Redbreast, Midleton, Green Spot, Yellow Spot and Powers John’s Lane. Jameson Cask Mates will also be available; an embodiment of the spirit of collaboration, aged in craft beer barrels with notes of cocoa, coffee and butterscotch combined with Jameson distinct triple distilled smoothness.

And of course no Irish whiskey offering would be complete without Bushmill’s, distilled at the world’s oldest whiskey distillery.

Whiskies of Islay

Mr Whisky and Africa’s only Master of the Quaich, Pierre Meintjes will be presenting Bunnahabhain Islay single malt. The classically Hebridean Bruichladdich will also be available for sampling, and much-loved by smokeheads, Laphroaig and Ardbeg will vie for peat lovers’ attention at this year’s event.

The first whisky in space, Ardbeg, is now also the first whisky to conquer the Atlantic. Lone paddler Chris Bertish took three Ardbeg miniatures with him on his Atlantic crossing. Ardbeg invites Capetonians at Whisky Live to say cheers to Bertish and stand a chance to be part of the video they’re producing toasting his huge achievement.

Beautiful blends, crafted cocktails

The curiously rich and delicately smoky Black Bottle will be serving up Rob Roy and Old Fashioned cocktails made with flare by bartender extraordinaire and owner of SIP Exclusive, Owen O’Rielly. Visitors are also invited to stop by the Consol pop-up whisky-inspired cocktail bar for a complimentary cocktail.

Taste the result of Glenbrynth Master Blender’s traditional ethos of selecting premium malts, grains and handcrafted casks to create a uniquely smooth, perfectly balanced taste. Scottish Leader’s interesting combination of honey and smoke is sure to give visitors a new perspective on blends with Original, Signature and the 12-year-old available for tasting. The quirky Monkey Shoulder, a triple malt whisky, will also be on offer.

From the US of A to SA

American Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s, returns to Whisky Live to offer a range from Jack Daniel’s Old No7, Gentleman Jack and Single Barrel through to Woodford Reserve and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Bourbon-lovers will be thrilled to hear that Maker’s Mark, the distinctive red-dipped bottle, will also be joining Whisky Live this year.

South African whisky Three Ships will be presented by Master Distiller, Andy Watts, including very limited amounts of Three Ships 15-year-old Pinotage Cask Finish whisky available, as well as the recently released Three Ships 10-year-old Single Malt with a 2005 vintage statement. Watts will also be presenting Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky to taste alongside a work-in-progress 15-year-old grain whisky which has not yet been released nor bottled.

Sensational single malts

The Macallan will be showcasing their most recent launch, the Triple Cask Matured Fine Oak Range with brand ambassadors Nkululeko Maseko (aka Dada) and Edgar Mntungwa offering tastings of the Fine Oak 12- and 15-year-olds. A selection of Glenmorangie single malts will be on offer and visitors will also be given the opportunity to taste Glen Grant single malt whisky – the 10-year-old was chosen as the Best Single Malt Scotch by whisky critic and author of The Whisky Bible, Jim Murray.

Jura offers whiskies as contrasting as the island of their origin which has a wild shoreline of craggy rocks battered by the open seas on one side, and secluded sandy bays with calm waters on the other. The nature of the island is reflected in the sweetness of Jura Origin to the contrasting smokiness of Jura Superstition.

Visitors to this year’s Whisky Live can also look forward to head of Whisky Education at Pernod-Ricard, Mark Backhouse presenting The Glenlivet and Aberlour single malts.

Match made in heaven

Made to be an accompaniment to fine cigars, the flavours in Dalmore's Cigar Malt complement tobacco aromas, such as chocolate, wood, earth, spice, and toffee.

Another pairing will be introduced at Whisky Live by blended whisky, Dewars, joining the Whisky Live circuit this year. The Scotch Egg Club celebrates two of Tommy Dewar’s great passions: whisky and chickens. In addition to producing whisky, Dewar raised a collection of pedigree chickens which laid some of the best eggs.

Tickets to Whisky Live cost R200 from www.ticketpros.co.za and R230 at the door. All tickets include 16 whisky tasting vouchers, a glass bottle of Consol water, a glass and an SA Whisky Handbook on return of voucher cards on exit. Whisky Live Celebration takes place in Cape Town at The Lookout, Granger Bay, from 6-8 April, 6pm to 10pm daily, Pretoria’s Brooklyn Design Square from 4–6 May and Durban from 1–3 June.

For more information go to www.whiskylive.co.za and follow @whiskyliveSA and www.facebook.com/WhiskyLiveSA.